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Niue is an
island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the
Rock of Polynesia. Niue is located 2,400 kilometers
northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook
Islands. The Niuean language and the English language are both taught in
schools and used in day-to-day business and communications. The people are
predominantly Polynesian.Niue is one
of the world's largest coral islands. The terrain of Niue consists of steep
limestone cliffs along the coast with a central plateau rising to about 60 meters above sea
level. A coral reef surrounds the island, with the only major break in the reef
being in the central western coast, close to the capital, Alofi. A notable
feature of the island is the number of limestone caves found close to the
coast.Alofi is
the capital of Niue and consists of the two villages: Alofi North and Alofi
South where the government headquarters are located. APPROACHIt is
advisable to approach in daylight and, if possible, to use radar to establish
distance off.There is
leading light on the wharf.Approach
carefully, there are two moored rafts lying low in the water that should be
avoided (FADs). They are very difficult to see in the dark and are not lit.The two FAD
positions for Alofi bay are:South: 169 55’ 59”W / 19 03' 24”SNorth: 169 55’ 22”W / 19 02’ 32”SPlease be
aware that the FADs are moored in deep water and can be 500 meters from the
given GPS positions.On arrival
in Alofi Bay, call:“NIUE
RADIO” on VHF16 to advise your arrival (min. 1hr before). They will contact
Customs and make arrangements for you to “clear”. Please wait for instructions
on boat, do not go ashore as Niue Customs are very strict about this.“NIUE YACHT
CLUB” on VHF16. Ask for mooring advice and other help. If there is no answer
pick up one of free buoys.ANCHORING AND MOORINGSAnchoring
is discouraged because of the seabed topography where anchors not hold well,
and can get into crevices etc.About 20
safe mooring buoys are available (managed by the Niue Yacht Club) for visiting
yachts,. Price - 20NZ per night. All this moorings are regularly inspected. The
moorings has approx 4.8 tonne concrete blocks with new polyester lines and pink
pick up floats. Pass your rope through the stainless steel eye. All mooring
lines and buoys are removed in early November prior to the cyclone season.NOTE: If
the wind shifts to N-NW-W-SW-S, you will be moved very close to shallow reef
barrier. Anything over 20 kn and some swell could change your stay very
uncomfortable or denger. Best option is to release the buoy and go away from
the shore.Niue Yacht
Club (NYC)P.O. Box 50
, Alofi , Niue IslandVHF Channel
16 ZKN Niue Radio (24 hrs)DINGHY LANDINGThere is
only one point for landing - a concrete wharf. The swell is often coming there
and this is challenge. Untipical rule is, that your tender must be lifted out
by the dock crane onto the wharf, where there is a trolley for moving it clear
of the landing zone. You will need a 3 point bridle for your dinghy (do it
before landing) . The crane hook is always left hanging ready for the next boat
coming ashore. Simply hook on, step ashore and use the electric hoist to bring
your dinghy onto the dock; Never leave
the dinghy on the water tied to the wharf – to danger.FORMALITIESWhen
approaching contact Niue Radio on VHF CH 16. They try to arrange your clear in
and give you all instructions. Please wait for a response from Niue Radio about
clearance times. You must
wait on your vessel until clearance is arranged.Immigration,
Customs, Agriculture, Health are available for clearance from 8am to 4pm,
Monday to Friday, Saturday could be arranged, but Sunday clearance is not
possible. In our
case, we meet all officers (Custom, Immigration, Health, Agriculture/Biosecurity)
on the wharf. Many forms to fill but it’s easy going procedure. Only captain
should go to clear.NOTE: It is
important that you arrive here with adequate clearance papers from previous
country (French Polynesia, Cook Islands, etc). If not, you can be fine of
$NZ200.Niue is
free from most of the world's major pests and diseases and are most anxious to
keep it that way. All animals, food stuff, fruit, vegetables, plants and
garbage must be secured until clearance has been granted.Immigration:Passports
required by all. Visas not required by tourists staying less than 30 days.
Extensions are available by applying to the Immigration Office before arrival.Department
of ImmigrationP.O. Baox
67, Central Administration Building, AlofiTel 4349 -
Fax 4336.email
immigrationniue@mail.gov.nuCustomsFirearms
must be declared on arrival.Restricted
exports: artefacts, coral and valuable shells.Niue
Customs DepartmentP.O. Box 36 , Commercial Centre, Alofi, Niue IslandTel:(683)
4122 Fax:(683) 4150customs.treasury@mail.gov.nuCheck outContact NIUE RADIO of VHF CH16 24hrs before departure. They will
arrange “check out” with customs. Note: if you want to leave Saturday or
Sunday, do check out on Friday.Clearance
fees:Garbage
disposal: 15 NZDTax – 34
NZD per person (payable at Customs on departure)CHECK OUTCall Niue
Radio at least 24hrs before departure and ask for clearance out. They will call
to Customs and arrange a clearance. Meet with customs on the wharf on
prearranged time, they will do all formalities. A fee of 34 NZD per person will
be taken (local tax).Remember,
if you want to leave Niue on Saturday or
Sunday, do a clearance on Friday. NIUE YACHT CLUBThe NYC is
located at the Niue Backpackers buildings 300 metres south (right) of the wharf. Please register your
yacht there ASAP (after clearance)..Mooring fee
$20 per night which includes safe moorings, free access to a building on the
wharf with toilet, hot water shower. The NYC makes a payment to the Government for
the services they provide on the wharf - electric winch and drinking water.WC, SHOWERThere is a
toilet and shower in the building located on the wharf. Keys are available at
Niue Yacht Club, who maintain these facilities.WATERDrinking
water is from natural spring and rain, but it’s clean and drinkable. Tap is
located on the wharf (near the cran). There is bottled water available in the
groceries.FUELThere is
petrol station on south end of the village. Diesel is expencive (2.5NZD in
2017). I have no information about duty free diesel. Use you jerry cans and
rent a car (to far for walking with heavy containers).GARBAGE DISPOSALThere are
few bins provided on the wharf.GROCERIESThere is
few groceries in the village, the biggest one 100m left from the wharf (yellow
building in the yard). High prices. Fresh bakeing bred available only in the
moorning.WiFiThere is 2
operators in the village.Telekom
offer 1hr (5NZD), 1 day or 1 week (30NZD) access for just 1 device (you can not
use 2 devices one after one). Kaniu offer
15 days acces with limit of 5GB for 25 NZD. Other plans available. You can use
more devices, but only one at the same time. Both WiFi’s
are fast, but they do not cover mooring area. Walk to the village center is
needed.ATM, BANKSNo ATM.
Kiwi bank is in the center of the village. You can take out your money from
your credit/debit cards in few places including a bank - 5%commission.HEALTHCAREThere is a
24-hour on-call emergency service set up next to Hanan International
Airport at the Youth
Centre.CAR RENTALThere is 2
companies on both sides of the village. Car for a day about 50-60NZD. A Niue’s drive licence is needed. You can do it quickly on
Police station – show your orginal driver licence and pay fee of 22.5 NZD.There are motors available (no scooters) for
40 NZD.The roads
on the island are very damaged with many deep holes. Drive slovly with
attention.TAX FREE SHOPThere is a
tax free shop, where you can find large choice ofalcohols, cigaretes, and soft drinks. The
rule is simple, between check in and check out you can buy any goods two times
(two different days). No boats papers needed. PETSAnimals
must stay on board.RESTRICTIONSCertain
shell species are protected and the taking of shells using scuba gear is
prohibited. During the
year certain areas are closed to spearfishing and swimming, to protect breeding
or migratory fish. The tourist office will have up-to-date information.Niue
is a marine sanctuary for the protection of whales and there are strict
regulations covering any interaction with them. Often they will be found in the
mooring field. Under no circumstances approach them in your tenders. During the
peak of the season when humpback whales are visiting (August/September) visitors
are requested to observe a 30
metre exclusion zone around the whales with their
tenders and yachts so that the humpbacks can rest, and feed their young
undisturbed.Sunday
observance is strict and activities such as boating and fishing are not allowed.
Beachwear
must not be worn in towns and villages.

For crews

Niue is the
World’s smallest independent nation (with a bit of a helping hand from New Zealand!)
with it’s own language – Niuean (2nd language English). It’s one of the largest
coral atolls but, unlike most islands we’ve been to, has no beaches, being
surrounded by 20 metre
cliffs which have numerous caves, chasms and crevices which are the main
attraction for exploring by foot, swimming and snorkelling.I suggest
to rent a car for 2 days and do an around the island trip with few stops at
(list in order from best in my opinion):1. Talava
Arches2. Togo Chasm3. Limu
Pools4. Tautu5. Matapa
Chasm6. Avaiki CaveMaps and more
informations you will find in Tourist information in the center of the village.There are
two diver operators. Two tank dives is 180-190NZD + 30NZD for the gear. You can
dive in the caves, the diving is said to be ‘phenomenal’. I dived with “Magical
Niue”, their office is about 2km north from the village. Price: 180 two tank
dice +30 for equipment rental. Very
nice and professional owner / dive master – I recommend him.There is
nice small and not expensive Indian restaurant in the center of the village.
Choose always “a little bit spicy” food. Their “Roti” are chip and good. There is a
numismatic and philatelist shop with occasional and regular stamps of Niue. Just next door to the duty free shop.Between
June – August there is a whale high season. You can watch a humpbacks swimming
near the coast around Niue, near moorings
buoys and yachts as well. Remember that swimming and sailing close to them
(less than 50m) is forbidden.

Fees

Mooring
buoy – 20 NZD / day

Garbage
disposal: 15 NZD (ones)

Local Tax –
34 NZD per person (payable at Customs on departure)Rent a car
– 50-60 NZD / day